Evaluation of an Enteric Methane Emissions Measurement System for Cattle

Growing concern about climate change and sustainability has increased societal pressures toward livestock production to quantify and reduce its environmental impact. Through the process of enteric fermentation, ruminant animals produce methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas (GHG). To improve emission inventories and evaluate mitigation techniques, several methods of measuring emissions from ruminants have been developed. The present study evaluated a ventilated head box system capable of measuring CH4 and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and oxygen (O2) consumption from cattle. Six Holstein heifers were used to measure CH4 and CO2 emissions and O2 consumption from two ad libitum intake measurement periods and one measurement period with intake restricted to 2% of body weight on a dry matter basis. As a measure of comfort in the head box system, all cattle were assessed for lying time, and respiration rates and THI were evaluated for thermal comfort. Methane and CO2 emissions during the restricted intake period were significantly lower (P 0.05) in THI and respiration rate across all measurement periods, and THI and respiration rate were positively correlated (R2 = 0.381; P < 0.0001). The head box system provides an accurate method of measuring emissions from cattle and can provide information about daily variations and peaks in emissions.Animal Scienc

Impact of consuming beef on greenhouse gas emissions

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311

Carbon footprint comparison between grass- and grain-finished beef

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311

Beef production and carbon sequestration

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311

Is local beef more sustainable?

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service periodically issues revisions to its publications. The most current edition is made available. For access to an earlier edition, if available for this title, please contact the Oklahoma State University Library Archives by email at [email protected] or by phone at 405-744-6311

Effects of feeding level on efficiency of high- and low-residual feed intake beef steers.

Comparing heat production after ad libitum (ADLIB) and restricted (RESTRICT) feeding periods may offer insight into how residual feed intake (RFI) groups change their energy requirements based on previous feeding levels. In this study, the authors sought to explain the efficiency changes of high- and low-RFI steers after feed restriction. To determine RFI classification, 56 Angus-cross steers with initial body weight (BW) of 350 ± 28.7 kg were individually housed, offered ad libitum access to a total mixed ration, and daily intakes were recorded for 56 d. RFI was defined as the residual of the regression of dry matter intake on mid-test BW0.75 and average daily gain. High- and low-RFI groups were defined as &gt;0.5 SD above or below the mean of zero, respectively. Fourteen steers from each high and low groups (n = 28) were selected for the subsequent 56-d RESTRICT period. During the RESTRICT period, intake was restricted to 75% of previous ad libitum intake on a BW0.75 basis, and all other conditions remained constant. After the RESTRICT period, both RFI groups had decreased maintenance energy requirements. However, the low-RFI group decreased maintenance energy requirements by 32% on a BW0.75 basis, more (P &lt; 0.05) than the high-RFI group decreased maintenance requirements (18%). Thus, the low-RFI steers remained more efficient after a period of feed restriction. We conclude that feed restriction decreases maintenance energy requirement in both high- and low-RFI groups that are restricted to the same degree